Comparison of altimeter derived wave periods and significant wave heights with buoy data in the Portuguese coastal environment

Algorithms regarding altimeter wave data must be tested against in situ measurements usually obtained from wave measuring buoys. While altimeter estimates are almost instantaneous and correspond to an area with a radius of a few kilometers, buoy data refer to one location in the ocean and correspond to an interval of time. Collocation criteria must be used in order to calibrate altimeter wave estimates (Moreira et al. 2002).